Topic: *** Expert's Response to Newsweek Article ***
17hens
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23747
posted
I just got this forwarded to me today. Maybe you've already seen it? It sure made me smile (and maybe jump up and down, wave my arms in the air and let out a muffled "yahoo" too)!!
---------------------------------------------- Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 5:29 PM Subject: mmi Newsweek - response from an expert
David Volkman Lyme disease: Myths and denial
The poignant August 24 article by Mr. Juskalian regarding Lyme disease (borreliosis) depends on authoritative opinion and perpetuates erroneous myths and untruths that some ``experts'' have been desperate to publicize.
Contrary to Dr. Shapiro's assertion, viable circulating borrelia DNA has been isolated from both humans and mice that have received inadequate antibiotic therapy for their acute borrelia infection.
Indeed, the tick bite regimen advocated by the IDSA leaves 80% of newly infected mice with persistent borreliosis.
These data were published in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals and the Lyme community is well aware of these studies.
More problematic, if inadequate antibiotics are used to treat the initial infection an effective anti-body response is blocked and the persistently infected individual will be consistently seronegative (a negative Lyme test).
These seronegative, infected sufferers are demonized as not having real disease.
Several of these Lyme ``experts'' receive consultant fees from insurance companies denying treatment for chronic Lyme disease symptoms and benefit from their denial that persistent Lyme disease may need to be treated.
David Volkman, Ph.D., M.D. Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics SUNY, Stony Brook, NY
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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"More problematic, if inadequate antibiotics are used to treat the initial infection an effective anti-body response is blocked and the persistently infected individual will be consistently seronegative (a negative Lyme test)."
Glad to have that information!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Yes, seronegativity is more common if a patient is treated right after a tick bite. If that treatment is not long enough -- or even for just a few days, the patients immune system may never produce antibodies in a significant amount that would allow for a positive blood test.
Inadequate antibiotic treatment early in infection can contribute to negative blood test results, that's the bottom-line.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
Tricky Tickey
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26546
posted
In response to Metallic Blue above:
Then that explains why my test wasn't "fully positive". I was treated in early stages, approximately 5-8 weeks after infection.
First treatment was 5 weeks after infection for 10 days of low dose, insufficient. Big Herx! Stopped treatment for 2 weeks.....restarted after new blood drawn for Igenex test.
That's when my new test was still IND. Not clear positive test results; IND.
Very well explains it.
-------------------- Early Disseminated LD- 2010. Currently doing acupuncture and yoga. Negative Igenex (IND & Pos Bands) ISSUES AFTER: Tendonitis, letter reversal, Low immune system. PREVENTION:SaltC,Iodine,Humaworm, Chiropractic. Posts: 1013 | From In a van down by the river. | Registered: Jun 2010
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